Cachia - Player of the Year

The Aquatic Sports Association yesterday announced the Player of the Year award winners following a council meeting to determine which players stood out most during the season just ended.

Sliema McDonald's and Malta goalkeeper Josie Cachia was voted the Division One Player of the Year.

It was the first time Cachia was named the season's best player and follows in the footsteps of team-mate Jonathan Valletta who won the 2008 accolade.

The only other Sliema ASC goalkeeper who won the Player of the Year award before was Michael Soler way back in 1973.

Cachia is coming from an outstanding season for club and country. The Blues chalked up their 31st league title, crowning a memorable summer by making it a double after winning the KO competition as well.

On the international scene, Cachia was instrumental for the national team in the Lugano European 'B' Championship as the Maltese finished a creditable sixth in the overall positions.

Neptunes forward Steve Camilleri, 2007 Player of the Year, was the runner-up behind Cachia in the ASA vote.

The best player in Division Two last season was Timothy Sullivan, of Exiles. He finished ahead of Marsascala's Joseph Cremona.

Meanwhile, the best foreign players to figure in the Maltese league this year were Raymond Fodor, of Sliema, and Andrea Razzi, of Marsaxlokk.

Winners last 10 years

1999 Paul Privitera (Sirens);
2000 Jonathan Valletta (Sirens);
2001 Niki Lanzon (Neptunes);
2002 John Soler (Sliema);
2003 John Soler (Sliema);
2004 Niki Lanzon (Neptunes);
2005 Jonathan Valletta (Sirens);
2006 Paul Privitera (Sirens);
2007 Steve Camilleri (Neptunes);
2008 Jonathan Valletta (Sliema).